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Answer Man: What's up with former 12 Bones site?

A reader wants to know what's going on with the former 12 Bones restaurant site in the River Arts District.

The city of Asheville will use part of the former 12 Bones restaurant property to accommodate the newly realigned Riverside Drive — which will run along the west side of the former building, as opposed to the east side — and its accompanying transportation elements, like sidewalks.(Photo: John Boyle/jboyle@citizen-times.com)

Question: Recently the old 12 Bones building was demolished, as well as the red tobacco warehouse at the corner of Craven and Riverside Drive. So what's next for those properties, and what's the time line?

My answer: Now all I can think of it blueberry chipotle ribs, collards and cheddar cheese grits. Thanks, reader.

Real answer: First of all, I feel it's important to note that 12 Bones, an Asheville institution now, remains open. It moved to 5 Foundy St., which is off Lyman Street not far from its old location.

Now, to the future. These are two separate sites, but both are part of the city of Asheville's RADTIP project, or River Arts District Transportation Improvement Plan. This is a $56 million initiative meant to transform the RAD, with a system of traffic circles, greenways, bike lanes and sidewalks.

This site along Riverside Drive and Craven Street, formerly home to a warehouse, will be used primarily for stormwater management, particularly the middle of the property. The city of Asheville also will use part of the property for a greenway/multi-use path on the riverfront side, and a wide sidewalk on the street side.(Photo: John Boyle/jboyle@citizen-times.com)

First, let's talk about the former warehouse site.

"The property at the corner of the Smith Bridge (sometimes called the Craven Street Bridge) and Riverside Drive will be used in its entirety for public use, primarily for storm water management (the middle of the property)," Stephanie Monson Dahl, the city's strategic development office director, said via email. "The site will also be used for the construction of a greenway/multi-use path on the riverfront side, and a wide sidewalk on the street side."

The stormwater improvement is meant to slow the water down and treat it before it gets into the French Broad River.

“The city is partnering with N.C. State University and the Clean Water Management Trust Fund of North Carolina to develop an innovative, non-mechanical treatment device on this site," Dahl said. "During the next year or more of construction, it may sometimes look like an old-fashioned retention pond, where the red tobacco warehouse once was, but three years from now (when the RADTIP is complete) the device will be planted with native and riparian (wetland) plants, serving to provide natural habitat. It will also promote educational opportunities about water quality for this riparian area."

The site will also feature "three community-developed art projects" — a mural, a pollinator garden, and artist-designed swings.

The former 12 Bones site will be utilized to straighten out that severe bend in the road.

“The property at 5 Riverside Drive will be used in part to accommodate the newly realigned Riverside Drive — which will run along the west side of the former building, as opposed to the east side — and its accompanying transportation elements, like sidewalks," Dahl said. “The city does not need to acquire the entire parcel for the construction of these elements. The future of the rest of the parcel will be determined by the property owner."

Construction of that section of the road will begin next year.

This is the opinion of John Boyle. Contact him at 232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com